Assessing physics quantitative literacy development in algebra-based physics

Quantitative reasoning is an essential learning objective of physics instruction. The Physics Inventory for Quantitative Literacy (PIQL) is a published assessment tool that has been developed for calculus-based physics courses to help instructors evaluate whether their students learn to reason this...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Charlotte Zimmerman, Alexis Olsho, Trevor I. Smith, Philip Eaton, Suzanne White Brahmia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-07-01
Series:Physical Review Physics Education Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/lnd6-pxyt
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Quantitative reasoning is an essential learning objective of physics instruction. The Physics Inventory for Quantitative Literacy (PIQL) is a published assessment tool that has been developed for calculus-based physics courses to help instructors evaluate whether their students learn to reason this way. However, the PIQL is not appropriate for the large population of students taking physics who are not enrolled in, or have not completed, calculus. To address this need, we have developed the General Equation-based Reasoning inventory of QuaNtity (GERQN). The GERQN is an algebra-based version of the PIQL and is appropriate for most physics students; the only requirement is that students have taken algebra, so they are familiar with the use of variables, negative quantities, and linear functions. In this paper, we present the development and validation of the GERQN, and a short discussion on how the GERQN can be used by instructors to help their students learn.
ISSN:2469-9896